When you join 60,000 people in the desert, be prepared for anything.
In the summer of 2005 I was in the beautiful weeds of work. As the VP of Sales & Marketing for an international recreation products company, I was traveling to trade shows, sales rep meetings, conducting seminars and found myself in my own bed less frequently than a hotel’s. I loved my job and was happy to spread the word and help make a difference in parks across the country, but I could tell it was taking a toll, both on me and my family.
I recall during a visit home between travels, my wife, Allison telling me about a camping trip she was planning for just the two of us to Nevada. We’d be going with her good friend who’s been going for years. Great. The perfect chance to relax and have some quality time with Allison and get a much need connection with nature. I had a trade show in Florida right before so I planned on flying into Reno and meeting her there to head to the wilderness. Allison assured me that she’d take care of all the essentials and I only had to show up at RNO at the appointed time. The meetings in Florida went well and I made it to Reno without a hitch. I didn’t have much equipment besides a suit, golf shoes and sunscreen. No matter. I’ve spent summers living in the woods and I’d be fine. We hopped in the rental car and headed for the hills.
The first hint that I may have miscalculated my inventory of provisions came at the entrance to the camp. I lowered my New York Times and viewed what was to be one of the most challenging, provoking, and amazing sites I’d ever seen. We had arrived at the gates of Burning Man and were welcomed by Flower, a bald, muscular and dust covered naked greeter. Allison was driving with her pal, Emily riding shotgun and Flower asked simply, “Any virgins aboard?” I wasn’t sure what he meant but the rest of my group did. “Yes” was the answer and we were then asked to exit the vehicle. We were guided over to a large bell where Flower instructed us to ring the bell, roll in the dust of the desert and get spanked if we choose. We all opted for the hat-trick and my Hugo Boss outfit never looked the same, or so good. I knew then I was in for a radical attitude adjustment.
We made it to our camp which was located at “5:00 and Anxious”. Hellos were exchanged, drinks were poured and we were off. We spend the next 4 of 5 days immersed in the most creative, sensory challenging, and exotic environment I’ve ever experienced.
Black Rock City is erected for 1 week a year and is where unbridled creative energies are allowed to flourish. With a background in design and a career focussed on building beautiful recreation spaces, I was on overload. Art installations, art cars, camp themes and personal wardrobe are the canvasses for burner’s expression. Without the limitations of liability or public scrutiny, creative visions are allowed to come to life. And the art, especially the interactive installations were incredible.
Burning Man is also home to a sense of community that is truly unique. There is no bartering, trading, or concessions. People simply give to give and expect nothing in return. Allison came fully prepared and procured a gross of back scratchers beforehand which we doled out to folks in line to get ice, on their bikes on the playa, and even to the random person who wandered into our camp. The kindness was returned threefold by the camp that spent the week cooking bacon, or the camp that grilled hotdogs every day…all day. After this transformative week, we had a lot to process. Soon after it was decided that we would return but not merely as residents, but as participants. Given my position, we went back to Black Rock City in 2010 and installed a playground on the playa. Titled “Tom Lindhardt’s Tulips” we dug into the ground 6 spinning bowls in a circle.
During the week, word of the playground spread throughout the 6
0,000 dwellers and we saw people return day after day to discover and rediscover our little contribution to the mass social experiment in the
desert. The spinning feature of the bowls was not readily clear. Standing nearby, we watched people examine the colorful bowls. They would first look a little confused and then they would spin them with their hands discovering the bowls little secret. Before long, curiosity would compel them to take a seat and enjoy the full magic the bowl contained. Ambiguity had been erased and they finally got it. And so did we.
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